Mauro Mendoza

With unbreakable strength and lightning-fast instincts, this Peruvian center-back dominates the pitch, although his timing on sliding tackles often leaves much to be desired. Before every match, he insists on tying a yellow rubber duck to his left ankle, a quirk that leaves his teammates shaking their heads in amusement. It is a bizarre ritual that he claims keeps his defensive tactical awareness razor-sharp.